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"Free! -Take Your Marks-" Splashes Into Theaters This March

Jan 17th 2018

Newest Film from the Hit Sports Anime Franchise Free! Will Screen March 14, 2018 in Select U.S. Theaters for One Night Only Event with Special Pre-Show

FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS – January 16, 2018. Building on the success of the Internet breaking, hit animated series Free!, Funimation® Films in association with Asahi Broadcasting Company is bringing anime's favorite swimmers to U.S. theaters as they face their future and the graduation of teammates in the new film “Free! -Take Your Marks-” from creators Kyoto Animation and Animation Do. The movie's storyline follows after the events of Season 2 (“Free! -Eternal Summer-”) and leading up to Season 3 of the series, which will premiere this summer. “Free! -Take Your Marks-” will be screened in Japanese with English subtitles in select theaters nationwide on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 as a one-night-only event style release with a special pre-show. The pre-show will include an exclusive animated greeting and introduction to the film by the Free! characters that was previously only available in Japanese theaters, as a well as a movie photo session offering fans the opportunity to take and post pictures and become part of the event itself. Advance tickets for film will be available for purchase beginning February 13, 2018 on the movie's official website (funimationfilms.com/free) which will launch later this month.

“Free! has been an immensely popular franchise since Day 1 and encompasses a broad cross-section of our fans. All of whom have been anxious to see more,” said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and founder of Funimation. “Our event style release of 'Free! -Take Your Marks-' provides fans not only a unique opportunity to experience Free! for the first-time ever on the big screen but also a chance to quench their thirst for the show ahead of this summer's premiere of Season 3. I encourage Free! fans to purchase tickets in advance to guarantee they don't miss-out on this special one-night-only event on March 14th.”

“Free! -Take Your Marks-” is the third in a trilogy of films that includes the “Free! -Timeless Medley-” compilation movies, which retell Seasons 1 & 2 of the television series and feature brand new characters and content. Along with the theatrical rights for “Free! -Take Your Marks-,” Funimation has also acquired the home video distribution rights for the complete trilogy as well as the long-awaited prequel film “High Speed! -Free! Starting Days-” from Asahi Broadcasting Company. Home video release dates for the four titles will be announced in the future.

Synopsis

Haru and Makoto are prepping to move to Tokyo, which means finding a place to live! While they're off searching, Nagisa, Rei, and Gou are left coming up with something big to enlist new Iwatobi club members. But can they fill the pool or is the club's future sinking fast?

Then, the boys of Samezuka are having their own time getting ready for the future! While Rin prepares for his move to Australia and Sousuke moves out of the dorm, Nitori and Momo want to do something big to thank their senpais. A visit to the hot springs should do the trick, right? But a misunderstanding about Gou could leave Rin unsettled and only a challenge in the water can set his mind at ease!

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About Funimation Films
Funimation Films, the theatrical division of Funimation, acquires and distributes both anime and live action movies from prominent international filmmakers that appeal to the interests and passion of all types of fans throughout North America. The division was launched in December 2014 following the box office success of “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods.” Its debut release, "Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'," was an instant blockbuster and became the #9 highest-grossing anime movie of all time in North America. Funimation Films has gone on to release numerous films including “Shin Godzilla” and the award-winning, critically acclaimed “Your Name.” Funimation, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television, is a fully integrated, next-generation entertainment studio based in the Dallas/Fort Worth. For more information on Funimation Films, visit funimationfilms.com.

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